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Cover2Cover Books is an independent and innovative publisher of South
African fiction and non-fiction. The latter is published through its
imprint Face2Face Books. Cover2Cover releases thought-provoking
and compelling South African stories: the titles are sharp and edgy
appealing to a broad market – from teens in townships to book clubs in
suburbs. Now to teens all over the world will have access to these
stories about and from their peers in Africa.

The Cameroon Nigeria Border Dispute

At independence, Cameroon and Nigeria adhered to the OAU principle of uti possedetis juris by inheriting the colonial administrative borders whose delineation in some parts was either imperfect or not demarcated or both. The two countries tried to correct these anomalies. But such efforts were later thwarted by incessant geostrategic reckoning, dilatory, and diversionary tactics in the seventies and eighties that persisted and resurfaced in the nineties with a more determined posture. On two occasions, the border conflict almost boiled over to a full-scale war. First, in May 1981 when there was the exchange of fire between Cameroonian and Nigerian coast guards and second, in February 1994 when Nigeria marched her troops into Cameroon’s Bakassi Peninsula. Elsewhere in Africa, border incidents like these have often degenerated into war. But Cameroon and Nigeria together with the international community managed these protracted incidents from escalating into war.

This book examines the part played by the disputing parties, Cameroon and Nigeria; the mediation, conciliatory and adjudicatory role of third parties; regional and international organisations, in the process of the resolution of the border dispute from 1981-2011. The study situates the nature and dynamics of the dispute historically, and comprehensively explores in detail its causes, settlement and resolution.

Reviews

“The primary merit of this book lies in the presentation of the different levels of the conflict from the causes through their management, to settlement and resolution. This in-depth study makes for a compelling and compulsive reading. The book is welcomed as it could serve as a guide for conflict transformation in a globalised world.”

V.G. Fanso, Professor of History, University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon

“This succinct piece of work provides scintillating analysis… The author is to be commended for the profound effort he has implored in the interpretation and reporting of evidence. Scholars, political leaders, conflict management experts and policy designers will savour it with unending avidity.”

About the Author

Hilary V. Lukong is a Cameroonian. He studied in the Universities of Yaounde, Yaounde I, and Dschang, Cameroon. He is the holder of a Master’s Degree in the History of International Relations and a Diploma in Teaching. He is currently researching for a Doctorate Degree based on conflict management and resolution.